Integrated Negative Pressure Bandages

ABSTRACT

An integrated negative pressure bandage is constructed with a non-woven polyurethane matrix pad secured on the outside surface to a sheet of polyurethane film formed with an outer adhesive boundary to establish a seal against the skin of the patient around the wound site. The integrated negative pressure bandage is applied to a patient having said wound by removing said release member and attaching said adhesive layer exposed by the removal of said release member to said patient such that said adhesive layer is sealed to the patient around said wound with said non-woven polymer matrix pad being positioned over said wound, and attaching said connector port to said source of negative pressure. The non-woven pad does not stored fluids and exudate, but the source of negative pressure continuously removes the fluids and exudate to a remote location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/207,391, filed Aug. 10, 2011, and granted as U.S. Pat. No. 8,795,247on Aug. 5, 2014, and claims domestic priority on U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/373,233, filed on Aug. 12, 2010, the content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to negative pressure bandagesoperable to remove exudates and fluids from a wound and, moreparticularly, to a bandage structure that is specifically contoured tofit body parts that present difficulties in affixing and applyingnegative pressure bandages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Negative pressure therapy has been utilized for the treatment of avariety of wounds by medical practitioners. Conventional negativepressure bandages are generally large in size and often require the useof complicated equipment such as suction pumps, vacuum pumps and complexelectronic controllers to apply a negative pressure within the bandageto draw exudates and fluids away from the wound to a remote collectioncontainer. Typically, negative pressure therapy involves otherassociated equipment, such as the exudates/fluid collection canisters,liquid transporting conduits, and pressureregulators/transducers/sensors. As a result, negative pressure bandagesand related equipment tends to be bulky and relatively costly. Suchcomplexity typically requires professional placement of the bandage andconnection to the pump and collection canister, followed by consistent,regular patient supervision and monitoring. Generally, negative pressurebandages are applied for approximately two days, at which time thebandage must be removed and replaced by professional technicians.

The rising costs of healthcare and of medical devices, such as negativepressure bandages, provide incentive to develop less expensiveequipment, and procedures that are more easily utilized to reduce thecosts associated with the use of negative pressure therapy whileimproving on the effectiveness of the therapy. Simplification of theprocedures and the equipment can allow in-home use of such therapieswith a minimum of professional supervision and monitoring of thepatients. Furthermore, patients continue to demand devices that are moreeasily portable to allow travel and mobility while utilizing thetherapy.

Conventional applications of negative pressure therapy to wound sitestypically incurs the cutting of a porous foam pad to fit into the wound,followed by an application of an adhesive surgical drape over the padand wound site to seal against the skin of the patient around the woundsite. The fluids and exudates from the wound can be removed from thebandage to a remote location through an application of a vacuum to aconnector fitted into the adhesive surgical drape, such as is shown inU.S. Pat. No. 5,636,643, granted on Jun. 10, 1997, in U.S. Pat. No.5,645,081, granted on Jul. 8, 1997, and in U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,651,granted on May 15, 2007, all of which were issued to Louis Argenta.Alternatively, the foam pad can be utilized as a storage reservoir byincorporating a hydrophobic filter at the connector to prevent thefluids from leaving the bandage, as is reflected below in greaterdetail. Negative pressure therapy is provided commercially by at leastKCI, Smith & Nephew, Kalypto, Medela, Mepilex and Convatec. An earliernegative pressure wound therapy embodiment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,969,880, issued to David S. Zamierowski on Nov. 13, 1990.

The application of conventional negative pressure bandages to certainparts of the body presents substantial difficulties in maintaining aseal against the skin around the wound. Without the negative pressurebandage being sealed against the skin of the patient, the negativepressure system will not operate. Certain body parts, such as heels,ankles and toes present a multi-faceted skin surface against which thenegative pressure bandage must seal. Conventional practices with thenegative pressure bandages, such as are described below, require theplanar bandages to be cut, shaped and compromised with respect to thesealing portion of the bandage to fit against the contoured body part.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,615,036, granted to Ashok Joshi, et al on Nov. 10,2009, a negative pressure bandage is disclosed in which the bandage hasa housing that is sealed to the body surface of the patient and definesa liquid retention chamber coupled to a vacuum source to apply anegative pressure on the liquid retention chamber so that the exudatesand fluids are drawn into an absorptive material within the liquidretention chamber. This liquid retention chamber is located adjacent tothe wound from which the exudates and fluids are removed.

Improvements to negative pressure wound therapy devices can be found inU.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0299251 of John Buan published on Dec.3, 2009, to enhance the sealing of the bandage to the body surface ofthe patient. In this negative pressure wound therapy device, a vacuum isapplied to a collection chamber in which an absorptive pad is disposedto collect the exudates and fluids drawn away from the wound by thevacuum (negative pressure). To enhance the connection of the tubingextending between the vacuum pump and the negative pressure therapydevice, an extended length connector is disclosed, which willaccommodate connection when ace wrap or other coverings are applied tothe exterior of the bandage.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,361,184, granted on Apr. 22, 2008, to Ashok Joshi, anattempt to provide a self-contained negative pressure wound therapydevice is provided so that the device does not require connection to aremote vacuum source. In this negative pressure wound dressing, anabsorptive pad is also disposed in the fluid collection chamber, whichis located adjacent to the wound, the negative pressure drawing theexudates and fluids away from the wound into the absorptive pad. Severalearly embodiments of negative pressure bandages can be found in U.S.Pat. No. 5,636,643, granted to Louis Argenta, et al on Jun. 10, 1997,all of which, however, utilize a single chamber configuration in which avacuum is applied to the fluid collection chamber and the exudates andfluid is drawn away through tubing to a remote pump and fluid retentionchamber.

It would be desirable to provide a contoured negative pressure bandagethat will be adapted to be affixed to a specific contoured body part toremove exudates and fluid from a wound located on that contoured bodypart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to overcome the disadvantages of theprior art by providing an integrated negative pressure wound therapybandage.

It is another object of this invention to provide negative pressurewound therapy bandages that are contoured to fit specific areas of apatient's body that are conventionally difficult to provide a seal foruse in negative pressure wound therapy.

It is a feature of this invention that a negative pressure bandage isintegrated into a single applicable bandage that can provide negativepressure wound therapy.

It is an advantage of this invention that the components parts of thenegative pressure bandage do not require individual installation on apatient to provide negative pressure wound therapy.

It is another advantage of this invention that the integrated bandage isnot inserted into the surface of the wound, but is positioned over topof the wound, to provide negative pressure wound therapy.

It is another feature of this invention that the integrated bandagestructure provides a non-woven polyurethane matrix mesh impregnated withsilver nitrate to overlie the wound being treated.

It is still another advantage of this invention that the silver nitratemesh inhibits infection and promotes healing of the wound.

It is yet another feature of this invention that the integrated bandagestructure also includes a drain tube disposed within the non-wovenpolyurethane matrix for connection to a source of negative pressure towithdraw the exudates and fluids from the wound to a remote canister forcollection thereof.

It is yet another advantage of this invention that the non-woven matrixdoes not absorb the fluids and exudates, but allows the collectionthereof into the drain tube for removal from the bandage and from thewound site.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a therapy forwounds to keep the wound clear of excessive moisture and exudates, andto promote healing of the wound.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an integratednegative pressure bandage that is configured to fit onto portions of thehuman body that is difficult to attach a negative pressure bandage.

It is an advantage of this invention that the contoured negativepressure bandages are configured to provide a seal around a wound foundon certain difficult to fit portions of the human body.

It is still another object of this invention to provide negativepressure bandages that are contoured to fit on the foot, at both the toeand heel portions of the foot, on limbs, and on the sacral region of thehuman body and provide a seal against the skin around the wound so thatnegative pressure therapy can be provided to the wound site.

It is yet another advantage of this invention that the time to apply anegative pressure bandage to a wound site is reduced by the utilizationof an integrated bandage that allows the wound fluids and exudates to bewithdrawn from the bandage to a remote canister.

It is a further feature of this invention that the contoured negativepressure bandage for application to the heel of a patient's foot isformed with junctions, such as cutouts, to facilitate the sealing of thebandage around the heel.

It is still a further feature of this invention that the drain tube andassociated connector can be oriented diagonally to the primary axes ofthe bandage to position the connector for attaching the vacuum source tothe drain tube in an easily accessible and unobtrusive location.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an integratednegative pressure bandage that is durable in construction, inexpensiveof manufacture, facile in assemblage, and simple and effective in use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a negative pressurebandage that is contoured to fit portions of the human body that aredifficult to apply negative pressure wound therapy to establish anintegrated negative pressure bandage that is simple and effective inuse.

These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplishedaccording to the instant invention by providing an integrated negativepressure bandage having a non-woven polyurethane matrix pad secured onthe outside surface to a sheet of polyurethane film formed with an outeradhesive boundary to establish a seal against the skin of the patientaround the wound site. The inner surface of the non-woven matrix pad iscovered with a silver nitrate mesh to promote healing of the wound sitewhen the bandage is placed on top of the wound. A drain tube iscontained within the non-woven matrix pad for connection with a sourceof negative pressure to draw the fluids and exudates from the wound forremoval to a canister that is located remotely from the bandage.Contoured versions of the integrated bandage are provided for use onportions of the human body that present difficult locations forapplications of negative pressure therapy, including the toes, heel,limbs, and sacral region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of thedetailed description that follows, in conjunction with the accompanyingsheets of drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed asdefining the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an integrated negative pressure bandageincorporating the principles of the instant invention, the bandage ofFIG. 1 being shaped for utilization for injuries or wounds to generallyplanar portions of the body;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the integrated negative pressurebandage shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the integrated negative pressurebandage corresponding to lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an integrated bandage similar to that ofFIG. 1, but having a circular shape;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the integrated bandage correspondingto lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of the integratednegative pressure bandage similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of a first embodiment of a draintube and connector utilized in the planar bandage shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the drain tube and connector shownin FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of an alternate embodiment of adrain tube as shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the drain tube shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a contoured negativepressure bandage incorporating the principles of the instant inventionfor a patient's foot, shown in an opened configuration in which thebandage would be shipped to the patient, the release members not beingshown for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the contoured negative pressurebandage for a foot as shown in FIG. 11, the release members not beingshown for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the contoured negative pressure bandageas shown in FIG. 11 folded over the toes on the foot of a representativepatient;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the contourednegative pressure bandage for a patient's foot, the release members notbeing shown for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of the contourednegative pressure bandage for a foot, the bandage being shown in anunfolded configuration corresponding to the configuration in which thebandage would be shipped to the patient for subsequent use, the releasemembers not being shown for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a wedge member for use in conjunctionwith the contoured negative pressure bandage shown in FIGS. 12-16;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a contoured negative pressure bandage foruse with a patient's heel;

FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the contoured negative pressure bandagefor heels as shown in FIG. 17, the release members not being shown forpurposes of clarity;

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the contoured negative pressure bandagefor heels as shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the contoured negative pressurebandage for heels;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the contourednegative pressure bandage for heels, similar to that shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the contoured negative pressure bandagefor use on the sacral region of a patient; and

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the contoured negative pressure bandageshown in FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the FIGS. 1-6, integrated negative pressure bandagesincorporating the principles of the instant invention can best be seen.One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the scale of thecomponents of the negative pressure bandages is exaggerated to shown thedetails of the components. For example, the wound contact memberdepicted in each of the drawings is enlarged to shown the configurationthereof. The thicknesses and relative sizes of other components may alsobe distorted to show the invention. Specific contoured configurations ofthe integrated negative pressure bandages are depicted in FIGS. 12-23.

The different embodiments of the contoured negative pressure bandagesshown in the drawings have some common features relating to theformation of the integrated negative pressure bandage. Each of thebandages have an outer shaped cover formed from a liquid impermeablematerial, such as polyurethane film, that can be formed into thespecific shape required for the bandage configuration, yet providesufficient flexibility to allow attachment of the bandage to the skinsurrounding the injury being treated. The outer cover is provided withan area of adhesive around a perimeter portion of the bandage where thecover would be engaged with the skin around the wound being treated tocreate a seal between the perimeter of the bandage and the skin. Aprotective release film would be applied to the adhesive portion untilthe bandage is to be applied to a patient, substantially covering theentire inner surface of the bandage.

Furthermore, each of the bandages will have a wound contact membersecured to the outer film cover to be positioned between the cover andthe body part being treated. While this wound contact member can beformed from gauze padding covered by a mesh layer, preferably apolyethylene mesh impregnated with silver nitrate, the wound contactmember is preferably formed with a permeable polymer matrix layer, morespecifically a non-woven polyurethane matrix pad is preferred, that willallow the passage of liquids through the pad to keep the surface of thewound contact member against the wound site as dry as possible. Withinthis wound contact padding is a drain tube connected to an externalconnector to apply a negative pressure to the bandage that will draw thefluids and exudates from the wound being treated. The surface of thewound contact member, which is in direct contact with the wound beingtreated, is provided with a mesh layer, preferably a polyethylene meshimpregnated with silver nitrate, to protect the wound and promotehealing. In operation, the negative pressure bandage keeps the wound dryand does not allow the fluid to accumulate within the bandage, thuskeeping the bandage from bulking up with accumulated fluids that candisrupt the seal around the perimeter of the bandage.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, an integrated negative pressure bandage 10incorporating the principles of the instant invention can best be seen.The bandage 10 is formed with a non-woven polymer matrix pad 15 coveredon an inside surface by a polyethylene mesh layer 12 that serves as awicking function to draw fluids into the pad 15 and keeps the pad 15from engaging the surface of the wound when the bandage 10 is applied.Preferably, the mesh layer incorporates a coating of, or is impregnatedwith, a compound of silver nitrate to promote healing and inhibitinfection. The outer surface of the non-woven polymer pad 15 is attachedto a polyurethane film 13 formed with an adhesive covered perimeterportion 14. A drain tube 20 is positioned within the pad 15 and exitsthe bandage 10 through an opening within the polyurethane film 13 toterminate in a connector 22 adapted for connection to a conduit leadingto a vacuum source (not shown) and an associated canister reservoir (notshown). A seal pad 23 can be provided at the opening through thepolyurethane film 13 for engagement with the connector 22 to enhance theseal of the bandage 10 when applied to a patient.

Preferably, the polyurethane film 13 can be formed with an innertransparent film member 13 a and an outer opaque, or skin colored, filmmember 13 b. The adhesive-covered surface of the polyurethane filmmember 13 a is preferably covered by a release member 16 that is removedfrom the bandage 10 when the bandage is to be applied to the patient toexpose the adhesive boundary 14 for attachment to the patient's skinaround the wound site. More preferably, the release member 16 covers theentire inside surface of the bandage 10 before being removed and can beformed as overlapping members 16 a and 16 b. The outer film member 13 bis preferably constructed from non-woven polyurethane to provide acovering that has a look somewhat like human skin.

The general configuration of the drain tube 20 and connector 22 utilizedin each of the bandages described above and below, is shown genericallyin FIGS. 7-10. One skilled in the art will recognize that the drain tube20 can be shaped specifically to conform to any particular shape orconfiguration of the bandage 10; however, FIGS. 7-10 depict the draintube 20 as having a linear configuration. One skilled in the art willalso understand that the length and width of the drain tube 20 is alsodependent on the size and shape of the specific bandage 10. Theconnector 22 is of a conventional size and shape for connection totubing that would interconnect the connector 22 with a vacuum pump (notshown).

The drain tube 20 in the first embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 isformed from a pair of opposing, relatively flat body fluid collectionmembers 24 that are formed with slotted openings 26 in the top andbottom surfaces thereof to collect fluids and exudates from the woundthrough the wound contact member 15. The opposing fluid collectionmembers 24 are connected to a central collector member 27 that forms a“T” connection with the external connector 22 so that the negativepressure applied to the connector 22 extracts the fluids and exudatesfrom the fluid collection members 24 through the central collectormember 27 and out through the connector 22 to an storage device (notshown).

A second embodiment of the drain tube 20 is depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10as a single tube configuration. The single flat body fluid collectionmember 24 is connected at one end thereof to the connector 22 which canpass through the seal pad 23, and also through the polyurethane film 13,for connection with the vacuum source (not shown). As depicted in theembodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the flat fluid collection member 24 isformed with openings 26 in the top and bottom surfaces. As depicted inFIGS. 8 and 10, the sides of the fluid collection member 24 can also beformed with openings 26 and those openings 26 can be in any shape fromoval to circular, or other geometric shapes.

A first embodiment of a contoured integrated negative pressure bandage30 is shown in FIGS. 11-13, configured for use with the patient's toes.As with the integrated bandage described above with respect to FIGS.1-6, this contoured bandage 30 is formed with an outer polyurethane filmcover 13 formed with an outer adhesive boundary 14 located to theexterior of the mesh 12 which covers the non-woven polymer matrix pad15. In this embodiment of the contoured bandage 30, the drain tube 20 ispositioned at one end of the pad 15 such that the fluid collectionmember 24 extends substantially to the opposing end of the pad 15. InFIG. 14, a second embodiment of the foot bandage 32 is shown in whichthe drain tube 20 is oriented diagonally across the pad 15 such that theconnector 22 is positioned to one side of the bandage 30.

In the application of this first embodiment of the contoured bandage 30,as is depicted schematically in FIG. 13, the bandage 30 is wrappedaround the ends of the patient's toes in a manner where the pad 15 islocated both above the patient's foot and below the patient's foot. Thedrain tube 20 is sufficiently flexible to allow the associated bend inthe bandage 30 such that the fluid collection member 24 is also locatedabove and below the patient's foot. The connector 22 is oriented overthe top of the foot for connection to the vacuum pump (not shown). Whenthe second embodiment of the bandage 32 is applied, the connector 22 islocated at the top of the patient's foot, but to one side of the foot.

Yet a third embodiment of the contoured negative pressure bandage 35configured for application to a patient's foot is shown in FIG. 15. Thenon-woven polymer matrix pad 15 is formed smaller than the firstembodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, and preferably in a semi-circularshape. The pad 15 is located at one end of the polyurethane film cover13, terminating at a center fold line 28 so that the opposing half ofthe film cover 13 is devoid of a pad 15. Furthermore, most of theopposing half of the film cover 13 can be covered with a layer ofadhesive 14. In application, the third embodiment of the foot bandage 35is applied so that the pad 15 covers the open wound.

If the wound is on the bottom of the patient's foot, then the opposinghalf of the film cover 13 is wrapped over the ends of the toes andsealed against the top of the foot. Since the drain tube 20 is orienteddiagonally, the connector 22 will project from one side of the bandage35 to be connected to the vacuum pump (not shown). The ends of thepatient's toes should be positioned proximate to the middle of the pad15 so that the fold line 28 is spaced from the ends of the patient'stoes. The adhesive areas 14 on the opposing side of the film cover 13and around the pad 15 and seal against each other and against thepatient's foot to provide a seal around the pad 15 for the applicationof negative pressure therapy.

In FIG. 16, a wedge member 29 is schematically shown. Preferably, forease of manufacture, the wedge member 29 is rectangular in shape, butcould be formed in a triangular or wedge shape as well. The purpose ofthe wedge member 29 is to separate the patient's toes prior toapplication of the bandage 30, 32 or 25 to the patient's foot. Often theopen would on a patient's foot, whether on top or on the bottom of thefoot, will extend between the patient's toes. Separating the toesadjacent the open wound with a wedge member 29 will increase theeffectiveness of the negative pressure therapy.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-21, an integrated bandage 40 contoured forapplication to a patient's heel is shown. As with the bandages describedabove, the heel bandage 40 has a shaped polyurethane film cover 13 onthe outside surface of a non-woven polymer matrix pad 15 that has asilver nitrate mesh 12 on the inside surface. The polyurethane filmcover 13 has a particular shape configured to be applied to thepatient's heel. The film cover 13 has an upper rounded portion 42surrounding an upper portion 46 of the pad 15 where the connector 22 islocated. The lower portion 43 of the film cover 13 is formed with threeflaps 44 projecting outwardly from the lower portion 47 of the pad 15.The flaps 44 are separated by junctions 45 that provide flexibility inthe application of the adhesive covered flaps 44 to the patient's skin.The junctions 45 between the flaps 44 can be formed as cutouts 45, as isshown in FIGS. 17 and 18, or as a web 45 a, as is depicted in FIG. 21.The drain tube 20 in the first embodiment of the heel bandage 40 isoriented along the major vertical axis of the bandage 40.

In application, the heel bandage 40 is positioned so that the lowerportion 47 covers the open wound and the fluids and exudates can beevacuated from the wound via the drain tube 20. The rounded upperportion of the film cover 13 is easily applied to the lower part of thepatient's calf irrespective of the orientation of the heel bandage 40 tothe patient. The lower portion 43 of the film cover 13, however, istypically applied to the patient's ankle, which is much more difficultto obtain a seal. The junctions 45 between the flaps 44 allow the flaps44 to be oriented as needed to obtain a seal against the patient's anklearea. Furthermore, the junctions 45 provide a place where the medicalservice provider can tear the film cover 13 if further modificationsbecome necessary. In FIG. 21, a second embodiment of the heel bandage 49is depicted. The component parts are formed as described above, exceptfor the orientation of the drain tube 20, which is positioned diagonallyacross the pad 15 so that the connector 22 exits the polyurethane filmcover member 13 at one side thereof. Furthermore, the junctions aredepicted as perforated webs 45 a between the flaps 44 to allow selectivetearing of the webs 45 a to accomplish the folding of the flaps 44 andthe sealing of the bandage 10.

For wounds on the bottom of the heel, the heel bandage 40 is appliedwith the lower portion 47 of the pad 15 located under the foot againstthe open wound. The upper portion of the film cover 13 can be securedagainst the back portion of the patient's leg and the flaps 44 can bewrapped around the sides of the foot and along the sole. The connector22 will be oriented vertically in back of the leg. If the wound is inthe rear part of the heel, the lower part 47 of the pad 15 is positionedover the wound while the flaps 44 are wrapped around the sides of theankle and underneath the heel. If the wound is on the ankle along theside of the foot, the lower part 47 of the pad 15 is placed over thewound with the upper portion 42 of the film cover 13 being orientedalong the side of the leg. The flaps 44 can then be secured to theinside of the foot, behind the heel, and underneath the foot. Thejunctions 45 in each of the scenarios noted above enable the threerespective flaps 44 to be secured against the patient's foot indifferent planes and in different orientations.

An integrated negative pressure bandage 50 contoured to be applied tothe sacral region of the patient is shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. Asdescribed above, the sacral bandage 50 is formed with a non-wovenpolymer matrix pad 15 having affixed to the outside surface thereof apolyurethane film cover 13 and to the inner surface thereof a mesh 12impregnated with silver nitrate. The drain tube 20 terminates in aconnector 22 above the film cover 13 and includes a fluid collectionmember 24 embedded into the pad 15. The bandage 50 is formed with acurved indent 52, 53 at the top and at the bottom, respectively, toconform to the shape of the sacral region of the patient. Similarly, thepad 15 is formed with a curved indent 54 at the top central portionthereof.

It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps andarrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated toexplain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made bythose skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within theprinciples and scope of the invention. The foregoing descriptionillustrates the preferred embodiments of the invention; however,concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in otherembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Theinvention is not otherwise limited, except for the recitation of theclaims set forth below.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. Anintegrated negative pressure bandage connectable to a source of negativepressure to remove fluids and exudate from a wound, comprising: anon-woven polymer matrix pad having an upper surface and a lowersurface, said lower surface being positionable adjacent to and inengagement with said wound; a polymer film cover integrally affixed tosaid upper surface of said pad, said film cover having a peripheralboundary surrounding said pad, said film cover having a peripheralboundary surrounding said pad and an opening therethrough, saidperipheral boundary including an adhesive layer mounted thereon andprojecting outwardly from said non-woven polymer matrix pad such thatsaid adhesive layer is operable to form a seal around said wound withsaid non-woven polymer matrix pad being positioned over said wound; aconnection port integrally secured to said film cover in flowcommunication with said opening, said connection port being connectableto said source of negative pressure to extract fluids and exudate fromsaid wound through said non-woven polymer matrix pad; a mesh layercovering said lower surface of said pad and being integrally secured tosaid film cover; and a release member removably attached to saidadhesive layer, said release member being an integral part of saidbandage before being removed from said adhesive layer to expose saidadhesive layer for sealing around said wound.
 2. The integrated negativepressure bandage of claim 1 wherein said mesh layer is impregnated withsilver nitrate.
 3. The integrated negative pressure bandage of claim 1wherein said non-woven polymer matrix pad and said polymer film coverhave an oval shape.
 4. The integrated negative pressure bandage of claim1 wherein said fluids and exudate from said wound are not stored withinsaid non-woven polymer matrix pad and are continuously removed from saidnon-woven polymer matrix pad through said connection port.
 5. Theintegrated negative pressure bandage of claim 1 wherein said connectionport is integrally secured to said polymer film cover by a seal pad thatsurrounds said connection port and is secured by adhesive to saidpolymer film cover.
 6. The integrated negative pressure bandage of claim1 wherein said bandage is applied to a patient having said wound byremoving said release member and attaching said adhesive layer exposedby the removal of said release member to said patient such that saidadhesive layer is sealed to the patient around said wound with saidnon-woven polymer matrix pad being positioned over said wound, andattaching said connector port to said source of negative pressure.
 7. Anintegrated negative pressure bandage connectable to a source of negativepressure to remove fluids and exudate from a wound, comprising: anon-woven polymer matrix pad having an upper surface and a lowersurface, said lower surface being positionable adjacent to and inengagement with said wound; a polymer film cover integrally affixed tosaid upper surface of said pad, said film cover having a peripheralboundary surrounding said pad, said film cover having a peripheralboundary surrounding said pad and an opening therethrough, saidperipheral boundary including an adhesive layer mounted thereon andprojecting outwardly from said non-woven polymer matrix pad such thatsaid adhesive layer is operable to form a seal around said wound withsaid non-woven polymer matrix pad being positioned over said wound; aconnection port integrally secured to said film cover in flowcommunication with said opening, said connection port being connectableto said source of negative pressure to extract fluids and exudate fromsaid wound through said non-woven polymer matrix pad, said connectionport being integrally secured to said polymer film cover by a seal padthat surrounds said connection port and is secured by adhesive to saidpolymer film cover; and a release member removably attached to saidadhesive layer, said release member being an integral part of saidbandage before being removed from said adhesive layer to expose saidadhesive layer for sealing around said wound.
 8. The integrated negativepressure bandage of claim 7 further comprising a mesh layer coveringsaid lower surface of said pad and being integrally secured to said filmcover.
 9. The integrated negative pressure bandage of claim 8 whereinsaid mesh layer is impregnated with silver nitrate.
 10. The integratednegative pressure bandage of claim 7 wherein said non-woven polymermatrix pad and said polymer film cover have an oval shape.
 11. Theintegrated negative pressure bandage of claim 7 wherein said fluids andexudate from said wound are not stored within said non-woven polymermatrix pad.
 12. The integrated negative pressure bandage of claim 11wherein said fluids and exudate are continuously removed from saidnon-woven polymer matrix pad through said connection port.
 13. Theintegrated negative pressure bandage of claim 7 wherein said bandage isapplied to a patient having said wound by removing said release memberand attaching said adhesive layer exposed by the removal of said releasemember to said patient such that said adhesive layer is sealed to thepatient around said wound with said non-woven polymer matrix pad beingpositioned over said wound, and attaching said connector port to saidsource of negative pressure.
 14. An integrated negative pressure bandageconnectable to a source of negative pressure to remove fluids andexudate from a wound, comprising: an oval-shaped, non-woven polymermatrix pad having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lowersurface being positionable adjacent to and in engagement with saidwound; an oval-shaped polymer film cover integrally affixed to saidupper surface of said pad, said film cover having a peripheral boundarysurrounding said pad, said film cover having a peripheral boundarysurrounding said pad and an opening therethrough, said peripheralboundary including an adhesive layer mounted thereon and projectingoutwardly from said non-woven polymer matrix pad such that said adhesivelayer is operable to form a seal around said wound with said non-wovenpolymer matrix pad being positioned over said wound; a connection portintegrally secured to said film cover in flow communication with saidopening, said connection port being connectable to said source ofnegative pressure to extract fluids and exudate from said wound throughsaid non-woven polymer matrix pad, said connection port being integrallysecured to said polymer film cover by a seal pad that surrounds saidconnection port and is secured by adhesive to said polymer film cover; amesh layer covering said lower surface of said pad and being integrallysecured to said film cover; and a release member removably attached tosaid adhesive layer, said release member being an integral part of saidbandage before being removed from said adhesive layer to expose saidadhesive layer for sealing around said wound.
 15. The integratednegative pressure bandage of claim 14 wherein said mesh layer isimpregnated with silver nitrate.
 16. The integrated negative pressurebandage of claim 14 wherein said bandage is applied to a patient havingsaid wound by removing said release member and attaching said adhesivelayer exposed by the removal of said release member to said patient suchthat said adhesive layer is sealed to the patient around said wound withsaid non-woven polymer matrix pad being positioned over said wound, andattaching said connector port to said source of negative pressure.